How to Prepare for Getting Braces

Are you thinking about getting braces? Braces can give you the smile you have always dreamed of. There are many things you can do now to prepare for getting braces in the months or years ahead.

Getting an initial orthodontic evaluation

Selecting an orthodontist

Contact your dental insurance company and learn what your benefits are

Taking care of your teeth before braces

Planning for the time commitment required with orthodontic treatment

Getting an Initial Orthodontic Evaluation

Whether you are seven or 71, one of the first steps and getting braces is getting a free evaluation from an orthodontist. At this visit an orthodontist will determine whether you have bite issues that need to be addressed or whether getting braces is a cosmetic issue. Remember that no matter what your age is you can always go into an orthodontist and get treatment for your concerns. A growing number of seniors are seeking orthodontic treatment to help remedy bite problems and overcrowding that affects their confidence, diet, and overall health.

Selecting an Orthodontist

When you’re selecting an orthodontist you might want to consider factors like how close and convenient the office is to your work or home or favorite shopping areas. It is also a good idea to ask friends and family for recommendation for good orthodontist that they have had great experiences with. Knowing who locals go to can guide you to some of the best orthodontist and the ones that are priced competitively.

The orthodontist will also be able to tell you how long treatment will take, how much it will cost, and how frequently you will need to come to visit the orthodontist. The ADA recommends that children have a visit with an orthodontist around age 7 but that does not mean that this is the right age to start getting braces. The done at the orthodontist can also tell you when would be the best time for getting braces. Some issues such as crossbite or overbite or underbite might be advisable to start treating in younger years. Other issues like crowded teeth or crooked teeth can be as easily treated during the tween or teenage years, or as an adult.

Contact Your Dental Insurance Company and Learn Your Benefits

If you have dental insurance, then it is most likely that your insurance company will pick up part of the cost of getting braces. Certain insurance companies have age restrictions on this coverage while other insurance companies allow orthodontic treatment for patients of all ages. Prior to your first visit at the orthodontist you should contact your dental insurance company and find out what your benefits are. If you don’t have a chance to do this before your first visit then you can have the finance office at the orthodontist look up this information for you. If your insurance company will cover half of the cost in your braces have suddenly become much more affordable. If you don’t have dental insurance, you can still get braces affordably with monthly payments. Most orthodontic offices will work with patients (whether or not they have insurance benefits) and set up a monthly payment plan rather than paying everything upfront. Financial arrangements very from office to office so make sure you find out what they expect of you before you begin treatment. Some offices also expect a down payment while others do not expect that.

Taking Care of Your Teeth Before Braces

Prior to getting your braces on you all want to make sure that your teeth are in excellent health and that there are no cavities that need to be taken care of. Any cavity left unattended to during orthodontic treatment can become much worse while you’re wearing braces and could result in serious tooth damage, tooth loss, or pain. Cavities can and should be taken care of during treatment as well. This means that even though you have braces you still need to visit your dentist every six months. In addition to making sure that your teeth are in good condition, some patients may also need to have baby teeth removed prior to the beginning of your treatment. This is generally only needed if the baby teeth are preventing adult teeth from coming in.

Planning for the Time Commitment of Braces

Getting braces generally requires a visit to your orthodontist once every 4 to 6 weeks. If you have to cancel visits to the orthodontist then it could prolong your treatment time. If you don’t think you will have time to come into the dentist regularly then you might want to consider options like Invisalign. If you plan your orthodontic visits properly then you will be able to make the time to attend each appointment.

If you are interested in getting braces in Phoenix, contact Dunn Ortho for your free initial evaluation. Our team of dentists and hygienists can help you achieve the smile you have always been looking for.